Michael Jackson spent Wednesday morning at Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria, California, after being rushed to the emergency room the previous day. Doctors treated the pop star with an intravenous drip for a flu-like illness. According to his brother Randy, Jackson had felt ill since the weekend but pushed through a Monday court appearance before vomiting en route to the courthouse Tuesday.
Judge Rodney Melville suspended proceedings for a week, noting the trial could not proceed without the defendant present. It was the second interruption since hearings opened on 31 January 2005, the first caused by a death in the family of Jackson's lead attorney.
Jackson faces 10 charges, including allegations that he molested a 13-year-old boy and served him alcohol at his Neverland estate. He has denied all counts. Trial is set to resume the following Tuesday, when attorneys will continue the jury-selection process begun Monday.
The defense drew attention on opening day by presenting a witness list that included Elizabeth Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Quincy Jones. Prosecutors questioned whether prospective jurors could remain impartial given the celebrity witnesses, while the defense probed their views on the reliability of child testimony. Each side may dismiss up to 10 jurors without explanation.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in February 2005, in its own words.